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Columbia Basin Trust hires two Nelson residents

Rona Park and Gary Ockenden have new positions with the organization.
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Nelson residents Gary Ockenden and Rona Park have new positions with the Columbia Basin Trust.

Rona Park, the executive director of the Nelson Cares Society, has taken a position with the Columbia Basin Trust as community liaison for the southwest basin.

She replaces Wayne Lundeberg.

Park has been with the Cares Society for three years, and prior to that held a similar position with the Castlegar and District Community Services Society.

Park's last day with the Cares Society will be around April 21 and she starts with the Trust on May 2. She will be based in Castlegar, but is a Nelson resident.

The Cares Society is advertising for her replacement, with a closing date of April 15.

Nelson Cares delivers community and environmental programs, and oversees Ward Street Place and Stepping Stones shelter.

Another Nelson resident is also going to work for the Trust.

Gary Ockenden has been named to fill the new position of community engagement director.

Ockenden has lived in Nelson for the last 20 years and has worked for a number of public and private organizations, including the Red Cross, followed by a consulting career. He has a lengthy association with the Trust, both as a consultant as a founding member of its social advisory committee.

"I've lived in the Basin for 20 years and have worked in or visited almost every community at one time or another," Ockenden said in a release.

"I'm honoured to live in such a special place and excited to now be working for Trust."